"I am 86 and have been on my own for many years. However, despite being financially secure, it is a lonely life and I realise I've fallen into a materially comfortable rut. Come 6pm I eat a meal, usually microwaved, have a shower, put my PJs on, lock the doors, put the TV on and settle down to another boring evening."
"I think the best advice I ever got for getting closer to people is to act like you already are. Not in a creepy way, obviously I don't mean you ask personal questions or presume you're invited without being asked. I just mean, you suggest doing something together as though you already do things together. I'm not sure whether your hope for taking the friendship further is romantic or platonic, but this idea could apply to either circumstance."
An 86-year-old person lives alone, financially secure but experiencing loneliness and routine isolation, with children living far away and limited local social contacts after COVID closures. Walking any distance is difficult, causing mobility constraints. A friendly neighbor provides fence-side chats and mutual interest exists in getting to know her better. A recommended approach is to behave as though closer already, by casually suggesting shared, low-pressure activities that align with existing routines. Small invitations that assume mutual participation reduce awkwardness and clarify new interaction rules. Prioritize short, nearby activities that respect mobility limits and preserve the current friendship if declined.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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